Lectures on Belief

Referring to the Israelites in Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah stresses that like them, we are in real danger that our hearts will harden even though the Quran is in our hands and we recite it in prayer. In the same surah, Allah teaches us how to protect our hearts from this, first by maintaining a deep connection with our creator, which in turn will improve our relationships with close family; then by always speaking well of people, followed by establishing the prayer and finally giving zakat. Salat is the means by which our worship of Allah and goodness to others is reinforced. The consequences of a hardened heart are grave, leading to a strong warning from Allah in ayah 85 against those who believe in some parts of His book and choose to deny or ignore others, if it doesn’t serve their interests. The compensation for such extremists on both sides (those obsessed with the superficial aspects of religion or those who fail to observe even the most basic rites) is humiliation in this life and the worst of jahannam in the afterlife. Such behavior damages the Ummah at large because it makes Islam itself appear contradictory.

Shaykha Muslema Purmul discusses the components of our faith-based “moral compass” to help navigate our life goals and activities for living a serene life and reaching our final destination successfully. What are the limits and boundaries we should be aware of whenever we are at a crossroads so we will do not lose direction?

We do not realize this but being a believer in Allah and a follower of a Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is a tremendous blessing. We often take it for granted and do not realize the blessing of being a Muslim. Shaykh AbdulBary Yahya explains.

With worldwide chaos and tribulation and increasing attacks on the foundations of religion itself, it is not surprising to hear of a crisis of faith—we may be having doubts ourselves. Is faith naturally congruent with our intellect or does skepticism and introspection erode it? How do we develop strength in our faith that brings us into harmony with the world around us?

Discussing and answering the questions: Why should I believe that Allah (SWT) created me? Why should I choose to worship Allah (SWT) over everything else? Why should I place my faith in Him? How do I find myself, my purpose, my goals through worshiping Allah?

As Muslims, it is not enough to say “We are Muslims because we are born Muslims” or “We are Muslim because that’s what our family practices.” Islam truly is a complete way of life that gives us the roadmap to integrate god-consciousness into everything we do.

Imam Zaid Shakir discusses in this profound sermon recent insults upon the Prophets (peace be upon them), satanic forces tearing apart families and society as a whole. This sermon was delivered at the Muslim Community Center – East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, March 23, 2018.

What are the signs and traits of those who believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him? Shaykh Abdul Karim Yahya explains the answers to this question. Lecture delivered in Gallipoli Mosque, Sydney, Australia.

Who was Bilal ibn Rabah? As the country celebrates Black History Month, and Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, hits theaters all around, we look into the full biography of a man who has inspired millions with his unshakeable faith and determination.

Being a Muslim doesn’t mean you only do the rituals and forget about those around you. Islam is about living your life in a way that also leads to the betterment of society. One way to increase your spirituality is through standing up for justice. The Prophet is our example of someone who practiced spiritual development through civic engagement.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned us that “the time will come on my Ummah where the one who will be holding on his deen will be like the one who is holding on a hot burning piece of coal”. Even today it is hard for our children to hold onto faith, what about our grandchildren and generations to come? Do we think they will say “La Illaha Illa Allah”? How can we keep the flame of faith alive in our grandchildren and in future generations?

Shaykh Yahya highlights that the greatest gift that we have been given, is the gift of faith because enables us to live a life of purpose. Faith is also the greatest gift we can give to the modern world in which we live. As people move further and further away from belief, resulting in a state of agitation and a state of panic. Faith (iman) is related to security (amn). With faith one finds security in their Lord who absolutely sustains and takes care of everything from its beginning to its fruition.

Shaykh Yahya reminds us that history is in good hands. The umma of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is granted mercy. There are many things of this deen and in this world that one cannot fully understand or comprehend the wisdom of, until they take into consideration the afterlife, and see how it plays out in the next life.

With all the great calamities, suffering and tribulations happening around the world, it gives one solace to know that their Lord is Just. Everyone who has been wronged will be fully gifted their right on the day of judgement. Therefore, we have to view everything from two perspectives simultaneously: from the perspective of faith and the unfolding of Divine decree, as well as from of perspective of judging particular incidents outwardly from the standpoint of the sacred law (shari’a).

Shaykh Yahya reminds us that this world is perishing and that death is a transition into the next life. Therefore we should always keep the next life in perspective. He urges us to respond to the Divine decree with total submission out of recognizing that Allah is truly in total control.

Shaykh Yahya finally reminds us that every Muslim is looked upon as a representative of Islam. Therefore, we have to have principled engagement with the society in order to bring forth the beauty of faith. This means that every individual Muslim needs to first immerse themselves in the meanings of iman, isalm and ihsan and then engage with the world. Bringing forth the light of the sunna of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through our state of being is much more eloquent than speech about Islam. We should live that light, and spread that light freely by seeing ourselves as the servants of humanity. If we do this, we will truly see amazing things.

This Friday Khutba was delivered at the London Muslim Mosque (http://www.londonmosque.ca/) as part of the Age of Anger – Southern Ontario Tour, April 2017.

Many of us are blessed to be Muslim and many are even blessed to be born and raised in a Muslim family and community. How do we continue to remain a strong believer and continue to believe? Dr. Bilal Philips explains.

In today’s hyper consumerist societies, where effortless instant gratification is the norm, it is easy for those whose faith is weak to stray from the path of Allah. Those whose faith is literally “on the edge”, weighed down by unanswered questions and unresolved emotions, are ready to fall off when faced with life’s inevitable trials and tribulations. But at such times of personal and public crisis, says Nouman Ali Khan, we must remember that the purpose of those tests is to draw those with strong faith closer to Allah, who has a plan for everybody. Both Yacoub (AS) and Musa’s mother lost a child but despite their agony, and because they both had unshakable faith, the former was reunited with his son after many years while the latter was returned to his mother within hours. When we question Allah’s design we miss the core truth that reality will only submit to us when we submit ourselves to Allah. This is ultimately the path to inherit paradise.

Do we really believe? Do we really believe in what recite in our prayers and what we believe in? In this lecture Shaykh Zahir Mahmood discusses the importance of taking our religion seriously and believe in what we read and have learned.

Who will we really become and what will be our status on that Day where everyone will stand before Allah? Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah discusses the events of that day and the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) intercession.

What was the purpose of creation? Why are we here? Mufti Menk answers this all important question during his inspirational lecture series “Purpose of Creation” held at Fanar – Qatar Islamic Cultural Center on 11th – 12th May 2013.

Imam Zaid Shakir emphasizes the importance to have internal belief that Allah (God) is sufficient as a protector of one’s livelihood and honor. The believer should be diligent and strive to be a living embodiment of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message for mankind. Imam Zaid Shakir’s Khutbah at The Lighthouse Mosque Oakland CA Jan. 25th 2013

Why would Allah ask someone, who had suffered so much, to give up the only things he had in his life?

For Eid ul Adha 2010, Haroon Moghul delivered this khutbah (sermon) at the Islamic Center at New York University. This khutbah was prompted by the endlessly rich theme of tawhid as it connects Abraham’s life, peace be upon him, from his destroying the idols in his city, as a very young man, to his being asked by God to take the life of his son, an outrageous request whose very power derives from the fact of its unbelievable nature (God is asking him to take the life of not only an innocent, but his own flesh and blood).

Can we tell this story in a way that makes sense to us, as Americans and Westerners? What do King George, the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and democracy, have to do with monotheism? How does Stephen Hawking fit in? What does this story of the great Prophet, peace be upon him, mean? Can a person take that most loved to him? Why would God ask anyone to do that, and what does it say about Abraham’s character, his faith, and our purpose in life?

After thoroughly addressing the first dimension of Islam in his first four lectures of this series, Abdal Hakim uniquely explores the final two dimensions in Islam of iman and ihsan. This talk, which consists of two parts, is another highly intellectual discourse about a vast religious science. The speaker begins by providing a historical background in an effort to identify the processes that brought this science about. This lecture effectively paints a colorful picture of the nature of the spiritual life in Islam and examines its foundation. What does the Qur’an say about these two types of higher knowledges, imam and ihsan? How does the Muslim come to know God if He cannot be seen? And what about the early Islamic controversies of free will vs. predestination and the existence or “problem” of evil? How does Islam answer the age-old philosophical questions of why the world exists and what the purpose of life is? (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: Emanuel Kant, the 99 names of God, the film “Barakah”, the volition of God to create the universe, heedlessness, thikr (meditation or contemplation), and the absence of symbols for God in Islam.

The first in a series of classroom-style lectures held at the world famous Abiquiu Madressa in New Mexico. The primary objective of this series was to educate non-Muslim teachers about the fundamental Islamic beliefs and practices within the context of an interactive and intensive spiritual retreat. In introducing this ambitious topic, Abdal Hakim Murad, a lecturer in theology at Cambridge University in England, asks two very engaging questions: What happens when you try to grasp the meaning and reality of another faith and why is Islam worth studying? After providing a more than adequate answer, he proceeds on to the much anticipated overview of the five pillars of Islam. Murad provides a highly intellectual perspective that is useful for non-Muslims as well as Muslims. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: Islamic “clergy”, humility in studying another religion, the modern Muslim resurgence, Islamic “fundamentalism”, “Muhammadanism”, the Hadith of Gabriel, the idea of original sin, mosque architecture, and wudu (ablution).

An in-depth exploration into the concept of “iman” (or faith) in Islam, and its application and implication for human beings in general and for those who call themselves Muslims. This near three-hour session is an intense survey of the human condition in the world today and what the human being must believe, from the Islamic perspective, in order to have hope for security and peace in this life and the hereafter. These objects of belief, which are known as the “articles of faith” in Islam, are what’s at the core of this highly stimulating lecture. These six articles are: belief in the one God, the revealed books, the prophets and messengers, the angels, predestination, and the Day of Judgment. An amazing session that also makes many comparisons to the Judeo-Christian understanding of God’s imminence, salvation, and other very relevant issues pertaining to faith. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: the fitrah (the natural desire to believe in one God), the human intellect, faith vs. disbelief, deja-vu, heedlessness, the transcendence and imminence of God, negation and affirmation within the human psyche, the nafs (the commanding self, the regretful self, and the peaceful self), the philosophical problem of evil in the world, Salmon Rushdie and capital punishment, the five objectives of the Islamic law, inheritance laws, homosexuality, the desire for massive stimulation, the stages of life, the after-death experience, God’s mercy and wrath, suicide, slandering prophets, and Muslim countries today implementing Islamic law.

A unique look at how the Islamic tradition articulates itself, irrespective of how it has been practiced by its people. In a strategic and tactful manner, Hamza Yusuf makes clear the whole concept of “islam” by analyzing the profound meaning of the word as it is explained in the Holy Qur’an. He then moves into a descriptive examination of the Islamic teaching by thoroughly explaining the fundamental practices of Islam: prayer, zakat (obligatory alms-giving), fasting, and hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca). These series of lectures have been immensely popular due, in large part, to the atmosphere created by the classroom-style format and the interaction and engagement by the speaker with the non-Muslim audience. (Recorded at the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute seminar). Other topics discussed: the meanings of “surah” and “ayat”, submitting when death comes, religion as self-deception, development and discipline of children, the four seasons as a metaphor for the cosmology of life, determining the prayer times using the sun, women in the mosque, women in the home, wudu (ablution), why pork is forbidden, want vs. need, envy, obeying the laws of the land in which you live, revolution in Islam, symbols in Islam, and going to extremes in practice.

What Is The Purpose of Life? Why are we here and where are we going? Through the verses of the Holy Qur’an, Shaykh Khalid Yasin expounds upon the creation of the universe and this amazing world we live in – and how it came to be. With his logical style of argument, the Shaykh answers these questions with much wisdom.